Best And Ferris Named In Ulster Squad

Ireland duo Rory Best and Stephen Ferris have been included in Ulster's extended squad for Thursday's pre-season friendly against Leeds Carnegie at Ravenhill (kick-off 7.30pm).

Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has named a 25-man panel for the province's third and final pre-season friendly against Leeds Carnegie on Thursday.

Rory Best and Stephen Ferris feature for the first time this season. Under IRFU regulations, they are permitted to each play up to 40 minutes in Thursday's match.

Young prop Paddy McAllister had been named in the squad, despite suffering injuries to his neck and back following a heavy collision in the first friendly against Bath. He will be subject to a medical fitness test later this week but his recovery has been pleasing.

Also included in the extended squad is Adam D'Arcy who is currently on trial with Ulster from the Manly Rugby League side in Australia. Adam, who is 23 and a full-back, linked up with Ulster last week.

Ulster Rugby operations director David Humphreys explained: "We have one full contract left to fill for the 2010/11 season and we're looking at Adam as a potential player for that place.

"Should he get some game-time on Thursday, it will be a huge opportunity for him to show us what he can potentially do for Ulster."

Commenting on his squad selection and the visit of Leeds, head coach Brian McLaughlin said: "The team we put out against Leeds will be fairly close to who we are aiming to select for the home Magners League opener against the Ospreys at Ravenhill in just over a week's time.

"We were very disapointed with the result against Harlequins last weekend but we were happy with areas of the overall performance, particularly our defence and how our younger players performed which is important for progression.

"Against Leeds this Thursday we're looking for both a winning result and a good performance. We need a good performance to take us into the Ospreys match in the Magners League but we're very keen to get a win, not only for ourselves but for the Ravenhill crowd as well."

He added: "It's been a mixed pre-season period to date, frustrating because we've not had all our players available but at the same time that means we've had the opportunity to play some of the younger guys and we've been really impressed by how they've handled themselves.

"Leeds are a Premiership side who will provide us with some really good quality opposition ahead of our first competitive game in the league.

"We need to hold onto the ball, which we found difficult against 'Quins last weekend and have confidence in our game."

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.